Sacred Month of Muharram

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Calendar. It is one of the four sacred months about which the Quraan Says: "Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve (lunar) months in the register of Allah (from) the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred…" [9:36]

These four months, according to the authentic Prophetic narrations, are Dhul-Qi'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the interpreters of the Noble Quraan are unanimous on this point, because the Prophet (saws) declared in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj: "One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sacred months; three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qi'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab."

The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadaan is admittedly the most sacred month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sacred months for the simple reason that even the pagans of Makkah accepted their sacredness.

The sacredness of these four months was established right from the day Allah created the universe. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Ibraheem (as) who observed the sacredness of these months; they also observed the sacredness of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.

In Islam, the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quraan referred to them as the "sanctified months". Muharram has certain other characteristics special to it, which are as follows: 

The Third Nullifier !

The Third Nullifier: Whoever doesn’t make Takfeer upon the disbelievers, or doubts in their Kuffr, or corrects their way or beliefs. 

This is the third Nullifier that Shaykh Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhab mentioned in “Nawaqid al-Islam”, and the Scholars have unanimously agreed upon it, in entirety. And the criterion returns back to affirming the texts and accepting the ruling of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, so whoever doesn’t make Takfeer upon whom Allah has made Takfeer upon, then he has rejected Allah’s ruling and abstained from acting upon it and denied His text and displayed arrogance to His command. 

The Scholars have mentioned this principle in numerous matters, such as whoever doesn’t make Takfeer upon the one that calls upon ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib whoever doesn’t make Takfeer upon the Nusayriyyah, and whoever doesn’t make Takfeer upon the Jews and Christians, and what’s similar to that. 

The one who doesn’t understand the framework and criterion for this Nullifier would fall into chain Takfeer, and this is what occurred with groups from the Ghulaat, the most famous example being “al-Jama’ah al-Islamiyyah al-Musallaha” (i.e. The Armed Islamic Group) in Algeria after it deviated. It (eventually lead them to) make peace-treaties with the Tawagheet so it could branch out to fight the Mujahideen fi sabilillah.

From the People of Shirk who Die before Da'wah...

On the authority of the sons of Shaykh Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhab and Hamd Ibn Nasir, they said in “Durar” (10/136-138) when they were asked, “no doubt the believer in Allah and His Messenger when he says or does what would be Kuffr in ignorance, while in that condition Takfeer is withheld on him until the Hujjah Risaliyyah (the proof from Islam, the Message, texts) has been established on him, so if the one in such condition is killed before this Da’wah becomes apparent, what is to be done?”

 

Then they answered saying, “If he was doing Kuffr and Shirk due to his ignorance or due to the absence of anyone who would inform him, then we do not judge him with Kuffr until the Hujjah has been established upon him. But we do not give him the hukm of that of a Muslim. Rather we say, this action of his is what permits wealth and blood, though we do not judge upon this specific individual due to the absence of the Hujjah being established upon him. As well it is not said that if he is not a Kaafir then he is a Muslim, rather we say ‘his action is the action of the Kuffaar and ruling upon this individual specifically rests upon the Hujjah Risaliyyah reaching him.’ Verily the people of knowledge mentioned that the people of Fatrah (people who lived between two Messengers to whom the Message of Allah did not reach) are to be tested on Yawmul Qiyamah in that state, and they (ahlu ‘ilm) did not place the hukm (ruling) on those people under Kuffaar nor that of the righteous.” [Ad Durar: 10/137]

Befriend the Enemies of Allah ?!?

[Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al ‘Uthaymeen (rahimahUllah)] 

How can a sensible person, let alone a Mu’min, befriend the enemies of Allah? So he would see them committing shirk with Allah and disbelieving in Him, ascribing imperfections to Him and faults, and then he befriends and loves them? 

If such a person prays and even prays throughout the night and fasts the whole year, it is not possible for him to have the sweetness of Imaan. Therefore, your heart must be filled with the love of Allah, His friendship and also filled with dislike and hatred for the enemies of Allah. Ibnul Qayyim said, “Do you love the enemies of the Loving One and claim love for Him? Such is not possible.” 

Imaam Ahmad said, “When I see a christian I close my eyes out of dislike that I should see an enemy of Allah with my eyes.” This is the person who tastes the fruit of Imaan. But, and refuge is sought with Allah, the one who considers the jews and christians to be upon a religion pleasing and acceptable in the sight of Allah after the coming of the Prophet (saws), such is out of the folds of Islam, a denier of the saying of Allah: 
"…and I have chosen for you Islam as your deen." [5:3] 

And His saying: 
"Indeed the Deen with Allah is Islam." [3:19]

Close the Open Doors!

On our journey towards handling the ‎problem of sexual desires that embitter the life of many Muslim ‎young men, let us discuss an important issue that will help you ‎release yourself from the captivity of sexual desires, namely, ‎"closing the open doors”.‎

Here, the words “open doors” stand for everything that is related to sexual‎ desire and sins, and for the things that can lure you to return to them once more. Hence, your sincere repentance and honest determination to abandon such sins requires making haste to close these doors, which include the satellite dish, internet, magazines, and other remnants of that past.
Taking this important decision requires a moment of truthfulness with yourself, because you must get rid of all that can take you back to your past, just as you have got rid of your past itself.

You must take the decision to leave the swamps of sin for the gardens of obedience and closeness to Allah The Exalted, like the one who killed a hundred people and then Allah admitted him to Paradise due to his sincere repentance.

Take the decision to get rid of everything that reminds you of the dismal past, and that supports and gives power to your devil over you.

These decisions require taking the following steps:

Chinese Muslim sentenced to 2-years for teaching Islam online !!!

 

A member of a Muslim minority group has been sentenced to two years in a Chinese prison after forming online discussions groups to teach about Islam. 

Huang Shike was arrested in 2016 in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, three months after he formed a discussion group about Muslim worship on the messaging app WeChat, according to the official website China Judgments Online. Huang, 49, taught about the Quran, Islam's holy book, in another WeChat discussion group. More than 100 people were members of each group, the website said. 

The discussion groups "disturbed normal religious activity" and violated laws about using the internet to discuss religion, the website said. 

Chinese authorities have dramatically increased surveillance and police patrols in Xinjiang, fearing the spread of "extremism" which they believe has infiltrated the region from Central Asia. 

Huang is a member of the Hui minority. There are more than 20 million Muslims in China, mainly among Uighur, Hui and other ethnic minorities. China's 10.6 million Hui — descendants of Muslim settlers and Chinese who converted to Islam — have long endured strained relations with the Han, who constitute more than 90 percent of China's 1.37 billion people. 

Chinese officials have increasingly urged local governments to better assimilate Muslim minorities into Han Chinese culture, as many ethnic policy hard-liners have decried a trend of what they call "Arabization" among Chinese Muslims. 

SOURCE:

Chinese Muslim sentenced to two years for teaching about Islam online

Events that took place on 10th Muharram !

There are some events that took place on the 10th of the month of Muharram, which includes:

1- Moses and the believers among his people were saved from Pharaoh. This was confirmed in an Authentic Hadith.

2- Aminah bint Wahb became pregnant with the Prophet (saws). This was reported by Ibn Katheer in As-Seerah from the narration by Al-Haafith Ibn ‘Asaakir.

3- The detachment led by Muhammad ibn Maslamah towards Najd. This is the detachment during which Thumaamah ibn Uthaal was taken as a prisoner. Al-Bayhaqi mentioned this in Dalaa’il An-Nubuwwah.

4- The assassination of Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali (ra). Al-Haakim reported this in Al-Mustadrak and Abu Nu’aym reported it in Ma’rifatus-Sahaabah.

5- The time when the Ka’bah used to be clothed each year, which was on the day of ‘Aashoora’ (this was in the old times and not now). The Hadith regarding this was reported by Al-Bukhari in his Saheeh.

However, after investigation, we have not come across a Hadith, a statement of the Companions, or a saying of the scholars that says that the Prophet (saws) married Khadeejah (ra) on this day.

Day of Ashura' – In Commemoration of Musa & his Struggle with Firaun!

Brothers and Sisters, the fast of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, is almost upon us. Ashura is a day of fasting that holds an immense reward, the expiation of sins for the entire year. It is one of the true blessings that Allah has bestowed upon our ummah. So, I remind us all to remain mindful of this impending day, and to try to fast on the 9th of Muharram as well, for the Prophet (saws) stated in an authentic hadith that if he lived another year, he would fast on the ninth as well, and in order to distinguish the Muslim ummah from the Christians and Jews.

There are several narrations that affirm that fasting on Ashura is a Sunnah with immense rewards. For example, Ibn Abbas narrated that Allah’s Messenger (saws) came to Medina and saw that the Jews were fasting on the tenth day of Muharram. So, he (saws) asked, "What is this?" And when they said, "This is a good day, this is the day when Allah saved Bani Israel from their enemy and Musa fasted on it." He (saws) replied, "We are closer to Musa than you." So he fasted on the day and told the people to fast as well.

Unfortunately most Muslims today take the religion, and days like the day of Ashura, at face value, practicing ritual but missing out on substance. Many do not engage in the superogatory (nafl) act of fasting at all, something that was obligatory on the Muslims before Allah revealed the command to fast the month of Ramadaan. Others fast, sincerely seeking the reward, but so too miss out on additional benefit by not reflecting on the deeper purposes behind this great act of worship in Islam. The deen of Islam is a complete system however O Muslims! and the reflective one will find that everything in the Quran and Sunnah has innumerable implications and practical and spiritual purposes. Contemplation on this reality will leave one in remembrance of Allah for the duration of their existence, and the day of Ashura is one such example of this reality!

It is narrated in an authentic hadith that the Quraish themselves used to fast on the day of Ashura, so one can only wonder in amazement at how our Prophet (saws) and the companions (ra) must have felt, as Allah’s Messenger (saws) sought conversation with the Rabbis of Medina and found that they were fasting as well. For 13 years they had suffered at the hands of the Quraish in Makkah, before the heijra to establish a stable Islamic State, and immediately the Prophet (saws) commanded his companions to follow them in it, and adopt the day.

The Lion of Tawheed (Shaykh Ahmad Musa Jibril) And The Cowards of Shirk !!!

A drop in the ocean of the unimaginable hardships, trials, restrictions, slander and false accusations the Shaykh faces from the global umam of kuffr the governments of the west, their media and their munafiqeen.

Whoever assists Nations of Kuffr against Muslims...

As for Mudhaharah of the Kuffaar against the Muslimeen and assisting them against them, it is Kuffr that expels one from the Millah of Islam according to all of the scholars of the Ummah, both past and present, of those whose opinion is valued and relied upon. Ash-Shaykh, Al Imaam, Al Mujaddid, shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil Wahhab (rahimahUllah) mentioned, ‘The Eighth Nullifier: Mudhaharah of the Mushrikoon and assisting them against the Muslims, and the evidence is the statement the Most High:

"And whoever is an ally to them among you – then, indeed, he is from them. Indeed, Allāh guides not the wrongdoing people." 

Al ‘Allamah, ‘Abdillah ibn ‘Abdil Latīf (rahimahUllah) was once asked concerning the difference between Muwalaat and Tawalli. He responded by saying, “Tawalli is Kuffr that expels from the Millah and it is defending them and assisting them with wealth, life and opinion…” 

The Shaykh, the ‘Allamah, Ahmad Shakir (rahimahUllah) said in clarification of the ruling of supporting the Kuffaar and waging war against them. He said, ‘It is Wājib upon each Muslim, anywhere in the world, to wage war against them and to kill them, wherever they are, whether they are civilians or military.’ Until his words, ‘And regarding cooperation with the British, be it any type of cooperation, whether minute or great, then it is an extreme riddah and obvious Kuffr. No excuse is accepted for it, or any false taweel, nor does any idiotic nationalism, infringing politics, nor hypocritical flattery save one from this hukm, whether this occurs amongst individuals, governments, or leaders. All of them are the same in Kuffr and riddah. Except the one who was ignorant…’ Until he said (rahimahUllah), ‘So let every Muslim and Muslimah know, that those who fight against their Deen and support their enemies, whoever marries one of them, then the marriage is void from the beginning. It cannot be corrected, and none of the results of marriage comes into effect like lineage, inheritance, etc. And whoever was married, his marriage is also void.’ 
 

How you answered the Mursaleen (Messengers)?

By Shaykh Salim al-Gharib 

Question: As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu my Shaykh how are you? I hope you are fine. 

Some people whom I discussed with follow the speech of normal humans more (than using the Qur’an and Sunnah) using the saying of Allah, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you don’t know,” as evidence, until they leave off following the evidences. I read the Tafseer of this Ayah and in it are statements that it was sent down for Quraysh and that the people of Dhikr are the the people the Injeel and Tawrah and for them (Quraysh) to ask them if the Prophets of the past were humans or angels. And from the Mufassireen are those who said the people of Dhikr are referring to the people al-Qur’an and it also mentioned that al-Qurtubee also included those who do not even know the Book and the Sunnah, and as-Sa‘dee also mentioned the first saying and he mentioned another as the people of knowledge are to be asked for seeking knowledge, a source of knowledge for people who do not know. So this argument became the proof by which they base themselves on against those who oppose them. So how are we able to tackle the likes of these misconceptions my noble Shaykh? 

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. May my Lord greet you. Indeed the biggest and greatest ways of ahlul-bida’ is their corruption regarding the methodology of at-Talaqqi (literally accepting/receiving). 
For indeed the methodology of acquiring knowledge has been clarified and made clear in the Noble Qur’an and the Pure Sunnah. So you find therein clear texts in every chapter and you find therein ambiguous texts and you find therein absolute texts and limited texts, and also general texts and specific texts and so on. The Sharee’ah has commanded the following of the best speech and the following of the the clear rulings, and to not pit the evidences against each other, in contrast to the methodology of following in all of its various images and different forms; you will find them united on corruption, away from the Muhammadi Manhaj in their acquisition of knowledge. So from them is the one gives preference to reason and the other gives preference to the whispers of shaytan and the others give preference to Taqleed.

White Lies: Are They Permissible?

Many take the permission of the Prophet (saws) to lie in three exceptional cases in the wrong way as a justification for white lies. The Prophet (saws) said: "A liar is not one who tries to bring reconciliation amongst people and speaks good (in order to avert dispute), or he conveys good." [Muslim]

Commenting on this Hadeeth, Ibn Shihaab, one of the transmitters, said that he has not heard that the exemption was granted with regard to the typical lies that people tell but in three cases: In war in order to cause reconciliation among people and in the narration of the words of the husband to his wife, and the narration of the words of a wife to her husband (in a euphemistic way in order to cause reconciliation between them).

Some may take this as a license to take truthfulness lightly and tell what they think to be white, harmless lies. The case is the opposite. What people misunderstand is the Arabic usage of the word `kadhib.' In particular in the Prophet's (saws) usage of it`kadhib' means anything less than the complete truth, even if it is not a lie in our ordinary usage of the term. This becomes clear in the following Hadeeth narrated by Muslim:

The Prophet (saws) said: "Ibraheem (as) never `lied' except in three cases, two for Allah, when he said [as an excuse when asked by his people to join them in celebration of their idols] `I am sick'; and [when they came back and asked who broke their idols, he said] `Rather, it was the biggest among them who did that.' And the third was about Saarah, and that was his saying: `When he asks you, say you are my sister, because you are my sister in Islam.' [Muslim]

Whose apparent is Islam or neither Islam nor Kuffr !?!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الحمد لله وكفى، وسلام على عباده الذين اصطفى

 

How to treat the one whose apparent is Islam and the one whose apparent is neither Islam nor Kuffr?

As to what follows: I have looked upon what the brother has mentioned on one of the issues that inflicted many people in going through it without knowledge, proof or clear evidence from the Sunnah or the Qur’an. The majority of those going through this issue are some laymen worshippers that have no knowledge of the ahkaam, and have no experience in the deadly paths that it may lead them to. They have no acquaintance of what has been stated and clarified by the Aimmah of Islam on this issue that is to be discussed by none – except the Aimmah of knowledge.

 

These issues have been clarified by ahlul-‘Ilm, and it is sufficient for us to follow their straight methodology. What they have stated is enough for us in terms of education and understanding, and we seek refuge in Allah that we say something without knowledge. These issues that you have mentioned are not to be spoken about except by the ‘Ulama who have the understanding, and those whom Allah has given the understanding, wisdom and decisive speech.

So, as we are not among the people of (who are qualified to go through) this issue, and we are not those who send their horses in (such) races, it is enough for us to follow the methodology of ahlul-‘Ilm, and mention what they have clarified in this chapter. If the Hadīth of the Prophet (saws) in which he warns us saying, “Whoever is asked on some knowledge that he knows and he conceals it, Allah will bridle him with a bridle of fire,” had not reached us I would ignore answering this question, but what is not fully realized should not be fully abandoned.

Certainty - The Life of Hearts !

Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim said about the rank of certainty: “It’s importance for belief, is like that of the soul to the body. It is based on this rank that the righteous differ in status and in it they compete and strive hard. Their deeds are based on it, and their aims directed to it. If patience were to marry certainty, they would obtain the rank of leadership in piety with respect to this religion. Allah says: “And We made from among them leaders (i.e. in piety) guiding by Our command when they were patient and (when) they were certain of Our signs.” [32:24]. Allah made benefiting from the signs and evidences peculiar to the people of certainty saying: “And on the earth are signs for the certain (in faith).” [51:20] Allah also made success and guidance one of their distinct qualities saying: “And who believe in what has been revealed to you, (O Muhammad), and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. Those are upon (right) guidance from their Lord, and they who are the successful.” [2:4-5] Additionally, Allah Has informed us that the dwellers of the Fire were not amongst the people of certainty saying: “And when it was said, ‘Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth and the Hour (is coming) — no doubt about it, you said, ‘We know not what is the Hour. We assume only assumption, and we are not convinced.’” [45:32] Thus certainty is the life for deeds, hearts and limbs … it is the reality of truthfulness … it is the essence of the religion and around it the matter revolves.” 

Reliance is one of the fruits of certainty: 

At least 30,000 Rohingya trapped in Myanmar mountains without food !!!

Tens of thousands of refugees are trapped on the border into Bangladesh without basic food and medicine amid operations by the Myanmar military, which have already killed hundreds.
Satellite photos released by Human Rights Watch Saturday showed what they are desperate to escape -- entire villages torched to the ground in clashes between Myanmar's armed forces and local militants.

More than 73,000 Rohingyas have now fled across the border since August 25, the United Nations said Sunday.
But in northern Rakhine State there are reports of at least another 30,000 Rohingyas trapped in hilly terrain without basic supplies of food, water or medicine, according to activists.
The Rohingya, a Muslim minority in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, are considered some of the most persecuted people in the world. Myanmar, also known as Burma, considers them Bangladeshi and Bangladesh says they're Burmese.
It is the second time in less than a year that a military crackdown has led to a mass exodus.

Stranded
Unable to cross the Naf river into Bangladesh and fearful to return to what's left of their homes, Rohingya activists say the refugees are stranded between Maungdaw and Rathedaung townships.
Videos provided to CNN by activists show dozens of men, women and children stranded on a mountain, surrounded by dense jungle, living in makeshift shelters made of sticks and sheets.
"The human lives that are most vulnerable must be rescued immediately without delay," executive director of Burma Human Rights Network, Kyaw Win, said in a statement.